Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Senator Barrett spoke about the aircraft leasing sector, which is very important to our trade links with China. Nine of the top ten aircraft leasing companies in the world have bases in Ireland, more than 3,000 aircraft valued at €83 billion are leased out of Dublin and the sector contributes €300 million in corporation tax annually and supports 2,000 jobs. It is worth a bit of an incentive.

I commend the Government on its seven key supports for farmers and the agrifood sector. It is great to see agriculture coming into its own as the new, sexy industry. The world needs food and Ireland can feed 36 million people. We need to ensure people are educated and up to date in that area and tax incentives are worthwhile in this regard.

Before I conclude, I draw attention to areas in which we need to make progress. The price of diesel is creating a burden on consumers and the transport sector. In regard to salary caps, it is pathetic to see Richie Boucher walk away with a package of more than €800,000. We should introduce legislation to prevent that from happening.

Finally, we should implement the split mortgages proposed in the Keane report. That measure alone offers the means to help people hold onto their homes. Nothing is more dignified than having a home. Why would we put these people on the street so that they become a burden on the State? Let us do something just. It is the one matter on which this Government will be judged and I want to be part of a Government that helped people to stay in their homes.